Thinking of and Standing with Norway
The attacks in Norway on 22 July 2011, like any such death and destruction in the world, make us wonder if there is in fact hope for a good future for humanity. Last year, on the ninth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks, I posted an entry about the feelings of confusion and fear that are the result of such horrible actions.[1] Then, as now, there is a feeling of near speechlessness inside me, because no words seem adequate to express the horror.
At times like this, there is mourning, and we wonder how anyone could do such a thing, such a vile act. Is there something so wicked within the hearts of humans that such violence will always be with us? Such violence happens so often, and even when it seems like we have moved forward and created a better society, there is still violence, jarring us. There are tears and sadness and pain and dread almost unimaginable. All the symbols in the world — the candles lit in memory, the flowers placed on graves — seem unable to convey the sharpness of the pain, but they do provide us humans a way to express the nearly inexpressible.
To the people of Norway, there is nothing to say except that all decent people are saddened by the tragedy that has happened in your country, that we are thinking of you. It is important to remember in times like this that there are still good people in the world, that there are those who will be there to help the injured and grieving, those who will keep believing that humanity and society can be improved, rather than giving up in despair. Humanity is capable of great acts of destruction, but it is also capable of great acts of compassion. And it is often in response to such tragedy by the worst of humanity that we see the best of humanity stand up and offer a helping hand to those who are hurting.
Live on in hope by responding to such hate with love.
References
[1] Sharmin, Ani. The Approaching Thunder and the Return of Tranquility: a blog entry in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Posted on 11 September 2010 at The Eternal Bookshelf. Retrieved on 29 July 2011 from http://eternalbookshelf.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/thunder-and-tranquility-911-anniversary/.
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Skepticon 4: 19 – 20 November 2011
The Midwest's Largest Skeptic Conference Springfield, Missouri
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